Lorne: Family-Friendly Fun on the Great Ocean Road

Lorne has been a favourite Victorian beachside retreat for over a century. Today, the coastal town retains a chic but relaxed vibe, providing for a laidback getaway along the Great Ocean Road. Only a two-hour drive from Melbourne, Lorne is a popular holiday destination for families, with so much to do for youngsters of all ages. But the town also harbours a thriving arts and cafe scene. If you are looking for a good old-fashioned beach break infused with culture, Lorne just might be your retreat of choice for a Great Ocean Road escape. Large beach houses, cosy apartments and secluded cottages on the outskirts of town are only some of the holiday rental options available in Lorne.

Free Family Fun in Lorne

Family fun in Lorne starts along the foreshore. The town’s beach is safe for swimming and the green expanses separating the water from the main street offer picnic tables and BBQ facilities. You’ll also find a nautically-inspired playground with equipment for kids of all ages. What’s more, wild cockatoos have elected this part of Lorne as their residence and perch in the trees by the foreshore, allowing for great photo ops. Beyond the sand, a skateboard park is Lorne’s most recent feature for youngsters. The skate park lights up after dark and includes a deep bowl, where you’re likely to find Lorne’s teens hanging out.

The Lorne Sea Baths

Lorne’s Sea Baths are also on the foreshore, providing entertainment for children and adults alike. ‘Family Fun’ packages allow guests to try all of the Sea Bath’s activities, but you can also buy tickets to attractions individually. The most popular feature of the Sea Baths is the outdoor trampoline park set right next to the water: jump up and down taking in the oceanfront scenery. For a unique workout, spend some time in an Aqua Orb, a giant hamster ball floating on the pool, which you can climb into and run around in without getting wet. While children explore the many action-packed activities at the Lorne Sea Baths, parents can indulge in spa treatments also offered at the onsite wellness centre.

Arts and Culture in Lorne

Lorne is a small town with a penchant for big city sophistication. Start off your cultural journey at QDos, a free gallery and sculpture park offering an array of classes from painting to clay modelling. The gallery features changing exhibits by local and international artists. Next, visit resident artist and photographer Will Dielenberg’s own gallery. The Lorne local has been capturing the Great Ocean Road for the last 40 years. You can buy your own prints or simply look at his work to see how the coastal towns and landscape has changed over the last four decades. In the evenings, catch a performance at the Lorne Theatre, a rare countryside cinema to play art house and avant-garde films along side current blockbusters.

On the Great Ocean Road

Lorne is optimally located on the Great Ocean Road, set between the heritage listed-route’s biggest attractions. A 45-minute drive will get you to Bells Beach, one of Australia’s best surfing spots, known for its natural beauty and consistently great waves. Two hours from Lorne, you’ll find the 12 Apostles, sumptuous rock formations jetting out of the water by the coast and Loch Ard Gorge, a perfect natural beach surrounded by headlands, the site of a tragic shipwreck. While driving inland affords quicker access to these attractions, if you drive along the Great Ocean Road you’ll be privy to sweeping ocean views, plunging cliffs and you might even be able to spot a whale from one of the designated lookouts.

Getting to Lorne

The most convenient way to get to Lorne is by car. However, it is possible to access the seaside town by taking a combination of trains and buses. All the same, it is highly recommended to have a vehicle at your disposal during your holidays so you can explore Lorne’s surrounds as you choose.